Castroneves Accused Of Tax EvasionOct 10 - Helio Castroneves has been indicted by the federal government on one count of fraud and six counts of tax evasion - totalling 5.5 million. They say he used an elaborate plan to funnel money through multiple foreign companies between 1999 and 2002. If found guilty, he would be facing 5 years in federal prison on each charge. He went to court today and will return later in the month. Castroneves won the Indy 500 in 2001 & 2002 for Penske Racing.

Suppose that Helio goes to jail, or, runs off to South America. That would leave a nice job opening at Penske.Wouldn't it be funny if the guy left hanging after the funny season, Vitor Meira, ends up with one of the best seats in IndyCar? Heh heh.

Helio said today that he is honest and innocent of these charges. He relies on attorneys and accountants. His sister and attorney were also charged.

Update: He won't be back in court until after the 2009 IndyCar season ends.

Formula One Blows Off North AmericaOct 9 - First the United States, now Canada: North America is off the Formula One calendar.

Canada has been replaced by a new race in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for 2009 per a revised schedule issued Thursday by the FIA. The Abu Dhabi race will end an 18-race season in mid-November. Nine races will be held in Europe, seven in Asia, one in South America and one in Australia.

Additionally, the Turkish Grand Prix switches from August to what was Canada's June slot. The Italian and Belgium races switch dates, moving the Belgian race to the end of August and the Italian event to mid-September.

Renewal of a US Grand Prix continues to generate talk, which might or might not be helped along by the scheduled appearance in December of Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George at the Motor Sport Business Forum in Monaco.

Will Paint Help the COT Look Better?Oct 12 - Jeff Gordon's Dupont Chevy is getting a new paint scheme for 2009.

Gordon has always been sponsored by Dupont Paint.

His first car had a rainbow paint job and was called "Rainbow Warrior." After that, he had a "fire and flames" paint job.

The new look is called "Firestorm" and still has some fire on the front of the car, but then turns into black. Sam Bass, who has designed all of the paint schemes, says the new one will make the car "appear to be a flaming thunderball rolling out of the dark clouds."

Alonso Pours It OnOct 12 - After a dismal season, suddenly Fernando Alonso has won two F1 grand prix in a row! However, he is only in 7th place in the points, with Ferrari, McLaren and Sauber all ahead of him. His teammate is back in 13th place.

Meanwhile, poor Honda is in last place even though they have Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button as drivers.

With two more races to go, McLaren's Lewis Hamilton leads with a 5 point advantage over Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

Indy Driver UpdatesOct 15 - Firestone Indy Lights champion Raphael Matos advances to IndyCar next year, driving for Luczo Dragon Racing for the full season. In the last six years, Matos has won titles in Indy Lights, Formula Atlantic, Star Mazda and the Skip Barber National Championship. LDR is owned by Jay Penske and Steve Luczo.

Alex Lloyd has a contract for next year as the development driver for Chip Ganassi Racing

Vitor Meira has found a home at A.J. Foyt Enterprises. Meira makes his debut aboard Foyt's traditional No. 14 entry in the non-points round in Surfers Paradise, Australia next month, as they figure out their bearings and prepare for next year. Meira finished the season in 13th spot.

NASCAR journeyman and professional stuntman Stanton Barrettt, 35, will drive for Greg Beck's revived team, operating under its new name of Team 3G Racing for 2009.

Stoner Wins Australian MotoGPOct 12 - For the second year in a row Casey Stoner has won at his home event, the Australian GP at Phillip Island. Last year's MotoGP champion started from pole and led every lap around the 4.445 km (2.762 miles) circuit. This year's title winner, Valentino Rossi, crashed in qualifying but was still able to move his way into second place. The Fiat Yamaha rider passed Nicky Hayden for the spot on the final lap. Hayden's third moved him up two places in the point standings.

Quick all weekend, Stoner was hungry for today's win. The Aussie shattered the track record to gain the top starting spot. In the race only Hayden could keep up, but eventually even the American fell six seconds away from the Ducati.

In contrast, Rossi had a terrible Saturday. The Italian looked quick during practice but a mistake in qualifying sent the Fiat Yamaha bike into the gravel. Rossi banged his head pretty good and wasn't able to place a competitive time before the end of the session. After a good night's rest the Doctor was ready to make up for his spill.

Starting twelfth on the grid the champ quickly dispatched a large chunk of the field before hanging onto the tail of his teammate, Jorge Lorenzo. Without losing his pace Rossi slipped past the sister Yamaha and then worked on James Toseland for third, the pair not giving an inch before Rossi finally made a pass stick. Rossi became a man possessed, with six seconds between himself and Hayden he gave his all to catch the Honda. When Hayden's rear tire faded away Rossi was able to make the pass on the final lap. Clearly Rossi won the hard charger award, gaining eleven positions on his quest for the best possible finish.

Briscoe Win At HomeOct 26 - IndyCar held a non-points race in Australia this weekend.

Ryan Briscoe won his first IndyCar race on home turf at Surfers Paradise by beating two other local heroes. After pole starter Will Powerhit the wall on lap 16, Briscoe took over the lead and then held of Scott Dixon over the last 15 laps to win the 300-kilometer race by 0.5019 seconds.

"It's so amazing to be able to win a race in my home country," said Briscoe of his third victory this season for Penske Racing. The native of Sydney became the first Aussie to win this event in 18 seasons.

Stoner Wins Last MotoGP of SeasonOct 26 - Casey Stoner has won the Valencian GP, the final event in the 2008 MotoGP season. The Aussie led from start to finish, claiming his sixth victory this year. Stoner held off local rider Dani Pedrosa for the win while Valentino Rossi moved his way from starting tenth to finish third in the race. The Championship was already decided last month, with Stoner finishing second to Rossi.

Rossi Wins MotoGP Malaysian GPOct 19 - Valentino Rossi may have already won the MotoGP championship this year, but that wasn't going to stop the Italian from taking more wins. In a day described by most teams as "sweltering", Rossi played it cool to win the Malaysian GP in Sepang. Polesitter for the race, Dani Pedrosa, crossed the line second. Andrea Doviziosoearned the first podium of the season for JiR Team Scot, better late than never. Circuit temperatures hit 140° F!